Healthcare Administration & Policy

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Alan Berg (Associate Professor of Public Health)
• Email: aberg@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Calder Health Sciences Building 310
• Office Hours:
  • Monday & Friday: 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (In person, Calder Health Sciences Building 310)
  • Thursday: 10:00–11:00 a.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

Organization and financing of the U.S. health system, insurance and Medicare and Medicaid, health care quality and workforce, and the health policy process. PUBH 320 analyzes the organization, financing, and delivery of health services within the United States, alongside the political processes governing health policy. Students investigate the historical foundations and operational mechanics of private health insurance, employer-sponsored coverage, Medicare (Parts A–D), Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The course critically evaluates health care cost drivers, reimbursement models—ranging from fee-for-service to value-based alternative payment models—workforce shortages, quality measurement frameworks, and the policy-making lifecycle from agenda-setting to regulatory implementation.

Prerequisites

PUBH 101.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of PUBH 320, students will be able to:

1. Analyze the Structure of the U.S. Healthcare System: Examine the organizational relationships, delivery settings, and regulatory oversight connecting hospitals, ambulatory care centers, public health agencies, and post-acute providers.
2. Evaluate Healthcare Financing and Reimbursement Models: Differentiate private insurance mechanisms, Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP; evaluate fee-for-service, capitation, prospective payment systems, and accountable care organizations.
3. Deconstruct the Health Policy Process: Apply political and policy models (including Kingdon's multiple-streams framework) to analyze how health issues reach the legislative agenda, undergo statutory drafting, and transition to administrative rulemaking.
4. Assess Quality, Patient Safety, and Health System Performance: Apply the Donabedian model (structure, process, outcome) and standardized clinical quality metrics (HEDIS, CAHPS) to evaluate patient safety, disparities, and health system efficiency.
5. Draft Professional Health Policy Memoranda: Synthesize statutory, economic, and epidemiological evidence to write an authoritative, non-partisan policy memorandum recommending legislative or administrative action to key stakeholders.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Shi, Leiyu, and Douglas A. Singh. Delivering Health Care in America: A Systems Approach. 8th ed., Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2022. Approx. $95 print, $55 digital rental.
2. Teitelbaum, Joel B., and Sara E. Wilensky. Essentials of Health Policy and Law. 4th ed., Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2020. Approx. $85 print or digital.
3. Total estimated cost: $95 to $140.

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 2: AI Permitted with Disclosure for Specified Tasks)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), PUBH 320 operates under AI Level 2.

• What is permitted: You may use generative AI tools to locate statutory citations, generate preliminary outlines for healthcare administrative memos, explore differing stakeholder viewpoints on pending health legislation, and edit drafted sections for professional clarity.
• What is prohibited: You may not use generative AI to write your legislative policy memorandum, formulate strategic administrative solutions for case studies, complete weekly Canvas quizzes, or answer examination questions. All policy syntheses must represent your own analytical reasoning.
• Disclosure: All submitted policy memoranda and administrative projects must include an AI disclosure statement identifying the AI tools used, the prompts submitted, and how outputs were revised. If no tools were used, state: 'No generative AI tools were used in preparing this work.'

Grading Components and Weights

• Midterm Examination 1: 15% (In class, Thursday, October 1)
• Midterm Examination 2: 15% (In class, Thursday, November 12)
• Health Policy Legislative Memorandum: 20% (Due Friday, October 23 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Health Administration Case Study & Strategy Project: 15% (Due Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Weekly Health Policy & Systems Canvas Quizzes: 15% (Due Mondays at 11:59 p.m. in Canvas; lowest quiz score dropped)
• Final Examination: 20% (Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 1:30–3:30 p.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: No extra credit assignments are offered in this course.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and vocal engagement in policy debates and administrative case analyses are mandatory. Our seminar environment depends on active dialogue, mock stakeholder hearings, and group policy evaluations. If you must be absent for documented illness or academic conference participation, email Dr. Berg in advance. More than two unexcused absences will lower your final course grade. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Written policy briefs and case projects submitted after the deadline will lose 10% per calendar day for up to three days. Submissions after 72 hours will receive no credit. Quizzes close on Canvas on Mondays at 11:59 p.m. and cannot be taken after the deadline.

Public Health Major Progression Requirement

Students must achieve a grade of C or higher in PUBH 320 to satisfy degree requirements for the Public Health BS. Pass/No Pass grading is not permitted for major coursework.

Final Exam Policy

The final examination (Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 1:30–3:30 p.m.) is scheduled by the University Registrar and can't be moved without the Dean's written approval (Faculty Handbook §5.5). A student with three or more final exams on the same calendar day may reschedule one of them. Requests go to the instructor of the middle exam by the last day of classes. For this term, send the request by Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (Student Handbook §6.4).